Tag Archives: realistic

Book Review: The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger

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devil_wears_pradaThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

It’s as if I am right there maneuvering my way through the streets of New York. The author of Devil Wears Prada Lauren Weisberger made me feel like I was in the big city trying to stay on task. A young girl fresh out of college named Andy ends up in a job one in a million girls would want. “Yes, the hours are long and the work is hard but it’s worth it, a million girls would want this job.”

The problem is, Miranda Priestly a high‐profile, cruel and fabulously successful editor of Runway magazine is impossible to please. Andy, quickly realizes after a long day of running impossible arenas, the only way to get her dream of being an editor for a fashion magazine is to last one year without getting fired. Instantly Miranda changes Any’s identity by giving her a makeover. Also she is now known as “Andrea” pronounced long and drawn out.

As you read through the book you will not be able to put the book down! You will instantly fall in love with Andy’s determined personality. She is young and a great inspiration too girls. This character demonstrates in order to get what you want you will have to work very hard and not give up. Overall, she had too be my favorite character. Andrea besides from trying too reach goals helps friend and makes many friend.

Miranda Priestly is the world’s worst boss. “Is there some reason that my coffee isn’t here? Has she died or something?” She expects the most from everyone. If it isn’t done they are fired. During the beginning of the book she tries to change Andrea’s profile from a small town girl to a high‐profile fashion assistant.

In the end the question is will she sustain the job with Miranda and not get fired? Will she get her dream? Will friendships and relationships last? Read this well written book and you’ll find out! The ending is unexpected and surprised me. If you like a great suspenseful and eager to read more book this is the book for you.

-Amanda C., 7th grade

Book Review: Close to Famous, by Joan Bauer

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close_to_famous_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

If you like a slow book, Close to Famous by Joan Bauer is the one for you! Joan Bauer is a Newbery Honor winner, but in my opinion this was not her best piece.

Close to Famous is about Foster Mcfee and her mother that fled out of their home town of Memphis, because of her mom’s ex-boyfriend who was an Elvis impersonator was abusing her. While driving, they ended up in a town called Culpepper. Foster was an amazing baker and her dream was to be the first kid on Food Network.

First of all, this story spends too much time on the small problems. For example they talk about the jail they have in the town and the jail doesn’t play a big role in the story.

Secondly, the conflict is really confusing. When I was reading this book, I felt the author kept jumping around. I didn’t know what was happening half the time until I re-read the section again. Also I felt that Mrs. Bauer should have explained the characters in more detail. I felt I didn’t know the characters well. Certain characters were mentioned in the beginning of the book and had no association with the main character until towards the end of the story. By that time I almost forgot about that character. For example Foster is talking to Ms. Morningstar I have no idea who that is!

“I reached into my bag and pulled out a pumpkin spice muffin with walnuts that was as moist as anything. It can be plain for breakfast or I can top it with cream cheese frosting. I like a muffin that can go from day to evening. I gave it to her. She sniffed it, nodded, and held it up.

“How do I know you’re not trying to poison me?”

I wasn’t expecting that question. “Ms. Morningstar, I swear, if I was going to poison you, I wouldn’t ruin a perfectly fine muffin to do it.” (74)

Thirdly the conflict seems too artificial. It felt like I was reading a Cinderella story and everyone lived happily ever after. This is a realistic fiction but it never feels realistic! Also the book title has nothing to do with her becoming famous. The story was mainly about what Foster does in her daily life. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste my time reading this book. It is un-realistic and very confusing.

-Alyssa C., 7th grade

Book Review: Undercover, by Beth Kephart

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undercover_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

The book Undercover by Beth Kephart is a very intriguing and well-written book. Friendship, if it’s meant to be, it will always come through in the end. Beth Kephart was born in Boston, Massachusetts and taught herself to skate, just like Elisa in the book , on a frozen pond in Boston. She won her first competitive freestyle competition at Wilmington, Delaware, rink.

There are three main characters in Undercover: Elisa an outcast, Theo a jock, and Lila a popular girl. Elisa is a poetic girl who doesn’t like to stand out. She has a passion for poems and ice skating. Beth Kephart states, “I got my dad’s curly auburn hair and altogether sensible- looking eyes. I got his pinprick freckles. And believe it or not, I got his double earlobe” (7). She is describing Elisa and when she did this it made a really vivid picture of Elisa in my head. She doesn’t have any friends, that is until Theo. She is only known by her poems, but no one understands her. Theo is a jock who asks Elisa for poems so he can give them to Lila, who he is dating. Immediately, Elisa and Theo have feeling for each other, but they cover it up and pretend that it’s not there. Lila is a popular girl who could care less about Elisa. She is always catching Elisa and Theo together, she thinks that they are friends. Elisa is really just giving Theo poems, but since Lila doesn’t know about the poems she gets really mad at them.

The book mainly takes place in the woods where there is a frozen pond. Elisa takes a pair of her mom’s skates and teaches herself how to ice skate. She teaches herself; crossovers, mohawks, spread eagles, spirals, waltz jumps, lunges, Ina Bauers, and spins. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves poems, big words, ice skating, and love stories. As Beth Kephart stated, “Here is how I skate: with music spilling directly through my bones. When I’m on the ice, I’m where the story begins” (92). I chose this as my book because I enjoy ice skating and, just like Elisa said in the quote, I feel the same way about ice skating.

If you are even a slight bit interested by my review I recommend you at least try reading Undercover by Beth Kephart.

-Allie A., 7th grade

Book Review: Lemonade Mouth, by Mark Peter Hughes

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lemonade_mouth_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

I, myself, have never been in high school. I am a middle schooler and the world beyond me is a mystery. I have no idea what the aliens do for fun, or what they talk about. They seem to be a different species, but Mark Peter Hughes makes me understand and relate to high school students in his book Lemonade Mouth.

This book takes place in the small town of Opequonsett, Rhode Island, where five students at Opequonsett High School come together to make a difference. When I read this book I was amazed at the description of high school. Through the author’s word choice and description, I felt the emotion of each character as they spoke. I sensed the struggles they went through, the anger, and sadness they experienced.

Even though this book was well written, it could be hard to follow at times. Lemonade Mouth was written to portray the future, in which the band members were speaking in an interview, after all of the events had already occurred. I found this writing style to be a perfect way to describe some events, and in others I found it to make the story repetitive and boring. Through this, the author was able to tell the story from the perspective of Mo, Olivia, Stella, Wen and Charlie, the band members of Lemonade Mouth, and Mr. Hughes could easily explain everything happening to these teens.

This novel shows how teenagers in high school can struggle, but if they follow their dreams they can become great. This is illustrated throughout the book, along with the reoccurring moral of even outcasts have purpose, the author shows multiple examples of this in his book. He uses moments of vulnerability and feeling to get that moral through to the reader. “We are not just some throwaway pop band… our stuff will be important” (80). This phrase perfectly describes this book. It shows that these kids wanted to make a difference. They didn’t want to be nobodies. “Aren’t you tired of being on the sidelines? What’s the biggest problem with our school? I’ll tell you. It’s that most kids don’t step up. Why is it okay that only a few are seen as important and everybody else is a nobody… I don’t want to be remembered as just another face in the year-book, another kid that people vaguely recall passing in the corridor” (82). Said by Stella Penn, this quote shows that this group of kids are nobodies, and that they want to be noticed, which again shows that even outcasts have a purpose.

I also was touched by the characters in Lemonade Mouth. Stella is a girl who had moved from Arizona to the small town of Opequonsett almost halfway across the country. She was inspirational and believed in what she stood up for. I was amazed by her courage and her determination to be a somebody. Wen is a nerdy boy who secretly is in love with his dad’s girlfriend, and because of this hates her and himself. Mo  is an Indian girl who plays bass classically, and is a genius. She is not the perfect Indian daughter, and not a regular American girl. Charlie is a chubby boy that plays a weird arrangement of drums. He loves Mo, but she loves someone else. Olivia, is the lead singer for Lemonade Mouth, and is a shy, and lonely girl. She has stage fright, but musters up enough courage to perform. These outcasts may be freaks, but they are Lemonade Mouth.

Overall, Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes, is a elegantly written book, and clearly shows life and struggle in high school. I would highly recommend this book for anyone between the ages of twelve and seventeen, because there is mature content. I really enjoyed this book and I hope you enjoy as well!

-Bryce V., 7th grade

Book Review: Whale Talk, by Chris Crutcher

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whale_talk_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Outcast, loner, misfit… these high school boys have to come together to make a winning swim team. Whale Talk was an excellent book written by Chris Crutcher who won the annual Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 recognizing his significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature.

I’ve never been in the situation T.J. Jones was in, but the author Chris Crutcher made it feel so familiar. I almost felt like I was there when a teenage boy from Cutter High School decided to take a risk and help a team of misfits overcome their differences to find their place in a school that has no place for them. The Cutter All Night Mermen swim team struggle to form their own identity and believe in themselves.

T.J. Jones is a powerful character that is the base of the story. He is a high school boy, who has to start a swim team to please his favorite teacher. He perserviers through tough times and helps everyone commit to become better swimmers. He is the glue that makes this story come alive with compassion and love for helping others.

Chris Coughlin is the reason I love this book; it is amazing how one person who starts out shy as a blade of grass in a field can mold into someone so amazing. “He laughs again, as if he’s never considered the idea of Chris Coughlin the stud” (83). There is a lot more going on than just a swim team overcoming their differences and Chris Coughlin and T.J. Jones tell you all about it.

A young girl named Heidi comes into the story about half way through and is another reason the book Whale Talk is so intriguing. She goes through so much for only being about 9 years old, but she has to adjust to difficult circumstances and forget her past to move on through her future.

The Cutter High School Mermen go through a lot of experiences, losses, and hardships through the course of the book. T.J. Jones helps them all put aside their differences such as having one leg or being overweight and to come together as a swim team but also a family. They learn things about others that they didn’t know but also themselves.
Whale Talk is filled with many interesting characters such as T.J., Chris, and Heidi, which makes this story seem so much more realistic and fascinating. Here’s how Mr. Simet the coach of the mermen described T.J. Jones: “Mr. Simet says I look like Tiger Woods on steroids” (17).

T.J., Heidi and Chris are all great characters but I would say the most important character that shapes the idea of this story is T.J. Jones’ father, Mr. Jones. He might not be the main character, but definitely the most important. This brave souled hero risked his life for a young girl who has to go through many hard times in her life. Mr. Jones is absolutely a critical character in this book. Self-sacrifice plays a big role in this book. But Mr. Jones doesn’t simply try to teach heroism and self-sacrifice; it is just a trait that he has that slowly bleeds onto others while being around him.

On the other hand, T.J. teaches teamwork to the fellow swimmers and people he is around. The whole swim team including him learn many things about themselves and how Teamwork is a big aspect of their lives. Through relays and the long bus rides back to school the group of misfits have slowly come together. Water polo plays a big role in my life and I know that you always have to work together as a team to succeed.
Mr. Jones, the silent hero of the book, teaches T.J. that violence isn’t always the answer and that you should stand up for what is correct and friendship is key. He takes in a lonely family helplessly trying to get away from a cruel husband and father and helps them find their way and get back on their feet.

If you want to know what goes on with the Cutter High School Mermen and how they come together and everything that happens on the way you should read Whale Talk and enjoy the story of a group of misfits brought together by T.J. Jones.

-Erin T., 7th grade

Book Review: The Marino Mission, by Karen Chapman

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marino_mission_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever had to leave a place that you absolutely loved? Did you end up loving this place that you went to, and not want to leave? Karen Chapman, the author of The Marino Mission, has clearly shown that it is tough to leave family and friends, through the perspective of a young, 16 year old girl, Alexa. Karen Chapman has received a B.S. in Biology and Marine Biology. She has had experiences similar to the one in this book and has reacted towards them as Alexa did.

On the small island of Puerto Marino, every way you look, there is sand, palm trees, and the ocean. There is a large marine safety campus that is where most of The Marino Mission takes place. There are many dolphins that are being held in this laboratory and some that are only a few months old!

Many times, I found myself not able to put this book down. Every minute that I was reading this book, my eyes were glued. I never reached a place that either bored me or lost my interest. I would also found myself at times  laughing at something that one of the characters had said or done. This book is also great because it appeals to many interests, other than marine biology. I would most definitely love to read this book again and even out loud to one of my siblings.

Alexa, who is a very bright 16 year old girl, is the daughter of a marine biologist and a biology teacher at a university. “She looked at her long, blonde, beautiful hair in the mirror as she was brushing it on her way to school.  She had never been one of the “popular” people in her school, but she did have many great friends” (17). Over the years, Alexa started to love working in labs with her mother and father. Soon after working in labs, she was told by her mother that she would be moving to and island over the summer, for her mother’s job. When Alexa arrived at Puerto Marino, she was very sad about leaving her friends back home. After a few days of working in labs in the marino, she decided that she would like to go and see the ocean. While she was on the beach, a young boy had shouted out to her. After Alexa realized that he was talking to her, she was embarrassed and ran back to the lab. A few days had gone by and she returned to the same beach. Alexa heard a voice behind her and instantly knew that it was going to be the same boy. The boy had introduced himself as José. Over the three months that Alexa was visiting Puerto Marino, she and José developed a great friendship. Through this friendship, Alexa and José were faced with a magnificent challenge. José and Alexa had worked very hard together to come up with a plan that would help them solve their problem.

Karen Chapman had come up with a great idea that has captivated many readers minds. She had placed characters in the story knowing exactly which role they would play to help Alexa with her problem. Throughout the story I would wonder what the author was seeing as she was writing this book. After finishing this book, I realized that she was painting the picture, that everyone is given challenges, either large or small.  However people choose to get through their problems always ends up helping either them selves or someone/something else. “I have never been more happy to see people back together, than I am right now seeing them, knowing that I have helped” (202-203).

I would most definitely love to read this book again, and even to one of my siblings.  I have found that this book would be appropriate for ages 10 and up because in some places of this book, it is the slightest bit, hard to read clearly. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a book to enjoy. I would also like to see if there are any other books that are written by the same author so that I could yet again enjoy a book.

-Zoe P., 7th grade

Book Review: Looking for Alaska, by John Green

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looking_for_alaskaUntil I picked it up again, Looking for Alaska had been sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust. But let me tell you, this has been one of the most fulfilling books I’ve read. I often speed through books being left with a small impression of the story, the characters, the situation, but without much profound and deep pondering on my part, Looking for Alaska however, was something entirely different.

Looking for Alaska follows the story of Miles Halter, later nicknamed “Pudge” – an average teenager who has the unusual hobby of memorizing people’s last words. Convinced by the last words of François Rabelais, “I go to seek a great perhaps” and tired of his dull life in Florida, he decides to attend boarding school in Alabama to seek a new start. He meets his roommate and soon-to-be best friend, called the Colonel, introduces him to Alaska Young, the beautiful, moody, wild, yet emotionally unstable girl who he becomes instantly infatuated with.

They spend their time bonding over elaborate pranks against the school and “Weekday Warriors” (the rich students of the school who go home every weekend), studying, and generally breaking the rules. About halfway through the book a terrible tragedy occurs making the way Miles and all the other characters of the book completely rethink their lives while making sense of what happened, to solve the mystery left behind.

This book deserved every award it has received. It’s gorgeously written– a hilarious, impassioned, thought-provoking, deep, profound, and relatable story. The characters are often seen as the bad behaving and rebellious in the story, but despite that are incredibly fleshed out, vividly real, complex, and beautifully illustrated, making the reader through their stories confront the not so easily pondered and discussed topics of self-discovery and on the other end of the spectrum-loss. This book was almost impossible to put down, pulling you in deeper with every word, allowing you to empathize with what the characters are experiencing, making you ponder your own life and beliefs along the way.

The story is not divided by chapters, but instead marked by the amount of days leading up to the tragedy and then the days after. The first half readers will be left grinning the entire time, and at the end they will deeply moved, maybe even to the point of tears, but also left with deep and profound ideas to mull over.

Overall I was very impressed by Green’s writing. He leaves the reader with a deep impression of the characters, all having their own distinct stories and all holding their own distinct beliefs. The story itself is very deep and profound, but what made this one of the most valuable books I’ve read was the simple yet extremely inspiring and deep messages he left with me. Reading this book made me look back on some of the events that happened in my life, and made me re-analyze them in a new light. It helped reintroduce many of the things that I had locked away in my memory bank, making me rediscover and confront troubling things from the past.

Alaska had chosen as a topic of her essay in the religious studies class the students were taking, Simon Bolivar’s last words, “How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?” which she interprets as life-the labyrinth of suffering. Miles, through his loss and tragedy, in the end concludes the only way out of  the labyrinth is through forgiveness.

Through the experiences of the characters you will learn a lot about yourself and be able to face topics you haven’t been confronted with before. As a final word of warning, there is lots of mature content, but everything in it serves to define character, give voice, and develop profound themes in the story. Indeed, this award-winning book is even on many high school reading lists and can help to open the topics of loss, self discovery, and friendship.

Sophia U., 11th grade

Book Review: Audrey Wait!, by Robin Benway

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audrey_wait_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be famous? Rising up into stardom… having everyone know your name… being the hot topic of the world… I know I do, but for 16-year-old Audrey Cuttler, this was her worst nightmare. Robin Benway, author of Audrey Wait!, describes the not so normal life of Audrey Cuttler. The author of this ostentatious story attended college at both NYU & UCLA. She is known mainly for her young adult novels and outstanding fictional writings.

Audrey Wait! is a fanciful and gaudy story about a 16 year old girl who wants nothing more than to be normal again… oh, and for her ex-boyfriend, Evan, to pay for writing the stupid song… and have all the hot rock band boys stop being jerks… and for James to forgive her, along with Victoria… and– okay you get my point. She wants a myriad of things, but come on, she’s a girl. enough said. Through thick and thin, best friend for life, Victoria, has always been there for Audrey. But will things change? As boys, rumors, and fame, cloud Audrey’s mind, will she get back to reality, or loose the most important people in her life? From leaked photos, to crazed paparazzi hiding in her bushes, will Audrey ever become normal again? Audrey finally gets to tell the world her side of the story, and show the not so good things about being the world’s number one top muse. Like crazed fans and stalkers who won’t even let her go on a simple date, parents who put you on lockdown because you’re famous, how about getting on the cover of the magazines with rumors written all about you, or the worst one, having a leaked video of something you don’t want your parents’ to see online… well, that’s Audrey’s life for you. Follow a story filled with rock band boys, dorky co-workers, fake friends, crazy fans, overprotective parents, girl fights, and a whole lot more, in Audrey Cuttler’s wild, high school ride.

Robin Benway’s unique and quick read book portrays the downsides of fame, rather than the perks. As Audrey goes through a brimming junior year, the author describes the main character’s mistakes, as well as the consequences she must face. This book separates itself from others because ordinarily, most books don’t explain the costs of their behaviors. This results in many teens making poor choices similar to those of the characters’. However, the author makes sure to point out the problems that poor choices can cause. The themes of love, friendship, celebrity and identity are strongly represented in this climactic book.

This book includes fantastic morals that are very cogent for everyone; mainly categorizing teenagers, the age this book is appointed towards. Audrey, as any regular teenager, has to make choices everyday. Some of her choices were better than others, resulting in consequences for her rash decisions. The main morals of this novel include to always stay ethical and to not change due to peer pressure, fame, gossip, or rumors. Also, always try to build friendships up, rather than tear them down, because friendship is key. Lastly, always think before you speak, and take caution over your actions.

Living in hot southern California, Audrey and Victoria spend their days at boring, old high school, lame jobs, and of course rocking out to their favorite bands. Whether they’re dancing in their bedrooms, catching bands at the local jukebox, or tuning it out at a concert, these crazy girls always have a blast. But who can’t, when you’re living in California! Now don’t get all excited, because with benefits comes work; like, when you work at the Scooper Dooper ice cream shop (more like Scooper Pooper shop) Audrey hates her job, especially wearing the untrendy, pink uniforms. “My job sucks the most suck that has ever sucked” (26), Audrey complains. Robin Benway put a lot of effort into making her book comical and entertaining. And just from this sneak peak into the story, you can pick up on how humorous this book is.

Music loving Audrey is the main character of Audrey Wait!. Her personality is similar to her best friend, Victoria’s, and that’s why they get along so well. Audrey is your average-smart student at high school, but all of that changes when she breaks up with her boyfriend, Evan. She is perky, loud, musical, and does NOT want to be in the spotlight. As a natural lover of music, especially rock, she loves to play her music loud. “I like my music loud. I mean loud. I’m not talking the kind of loud where your parents knock on your bedroom door and ask you to turn it down. Please. That’s amateur hour. When I say loud, I mean you-can’t-hear-your-parents-knocking-and-the-neighbors-are-putting-a-FOR-SALE-sign-on-their-house-and-moving-to-another-block-because-they-can’t-handle-the-constant-noise-anymore loud” (9). Audrey continues by talking about how she feels about music. Although, Audrey Cuttler was never a role model of mine, as the story progresses, she grows into a more respectable idol. Now, I believe that she has learned a lot from mistakes and conflicts that have presented themselves throughout her life.

Victoria is Audrey Cuttler’s best friend for life. She was my favorite character throughout the book because I loved her personality and qualities. What really stood out to me was that Victoria was her own person. While in other books, the main character takes most of the spotlight in the story; Victoria has her own completely different limelight. This novel is unique to me because the author doesn’t create one big star, although it is obvious that Audrey is the main character. Both girls have separate qualities that make them special. Some of Victoria’s traits include being fun, loud, crazy, sweet, caring, girly, dramatic, energetic, stubborn, intelligent, and spirited. Victoria loves loud rock music, just as much as Audrey.

Robin Benway created the voice of her story from her interpretation of 16-year-old girls. However, I disagree with her, and think that she did a poor job bringing the characters, setting, and book to life. There was rarely any description or adjectives to describe a character’s appearance or the environment around the character. Although the story line was fantastic and very intriguing, I constantly was side tracked by her attempt to sound like a teenage girl. As cussing becomes more commonly known for teenagers, I blame influences such as this book for that. The author writes swear words into the dialogue between teenagers, but she does it excessively in my opinion. Additionally, there were some editing errors, but overall, I really enjoyed reading this page-turner book.

Audrey Wait! was a fun read, and I would definitely recommend it to others. However, be cautious of the strong language and young adult content in this book. Lastly, above all, make sure to ask your parents if you can read it or not, before you go ahead and read something not for your maturity level.

-Ania O., 7th grade

Book Review: The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To, by DC Pierson

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boy_who_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

High school is a crazy place! The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To, a book written by DC Pierson, an author and comedian, talks all about the life of two social outcasts living throughout high school. DC Pierson uses a lot of descriptive words in his book, and with these words he shapes the somewhat normal story into an amazing tale. This book kept me on my toes, pulling out interesting ideas one after another. I did not get bored, because of all the exciting places this book leads me to. The book ventures into things such as mutations, into art, and finally into revenge. I loved all of the twists and turns.

The setting of this book takes place in a high school on the East Coast. There are two kids, Darren and Eric, who are social outcasts, just trying to get through high school, but Eric has a deep dark secret. The book starts off slow as Darren just goes through his life, and then it starts picking up the pace. It goes from multiple days of nothing going on to conflict everywhere you go! This book kept my attention more than most books i have read, and it would most likely do the same to you.

Darren Bennett was a very boring, scrawny, and unnoticeable kid from his high school. He never liked talking to other people, and would rather stay home then go to parties. He enjoys drawing, and started making a graphic novel/mini movie out of these drawings he has. He hates when people ask things about him, and just hates high school in general.

Eric Lederer, a nerdy and weird kid, came to talk to Darren one day while he was drawing. Once they started discussing, Darren “noticed something strange about this kid.” It may have been the way he was standing, but there was something truly weird about him. Eric is an exceptional student who would turn projects in days earlier before they were due, and would get straight A’s. After Eric and Darren become best friends, they work on a graphic novel together for about 6 months. After a while Eric opens the lock containing his secret, and his secret was he can’t sleep, and never has. There is one side effect of this secret… Eric has concentrated bursts of hallucinations every 3 weeks or so. Eric’s secret, if been told to the wrong people, could cause Eric to be tested on by the government.

Christine is a drama geek, who just loves drama and theatre above anything else in the world. Christine meets Darren and invited him to a party. Christine and Darren started hanging out a lot, and eventually became boyfriend and girlfriend. Once Christine comes to Darren crying about how her drama show has been cancelled, and he disappointed her by not quite being support. After Darren was proven to be difficult to understand, she went to talk to Eric. She and Eric became amazingly good friends, and instead of just going on dates with Darren, she started inviting Eric to them as well. One day, Christine goes to Eric’s house, and he was having a hallucination. Their interest within each other increasingly grew, until Christine dumped Darren for Eric.

Darren gets really furious, and thinks of nothing else but how to get back at Eric. Darren finally finds out a way to get even by telling his local church’s priest Eric’s secret. A couple days pass then a mysterious man shows up at their high school searching for Eric, forcing Eric to go into hiding. Eric sincerely apologized to Darren, by breaking up with Christine. So Darren helped Eric in his quest to elude the mysterious man.

What I like about this novel is that it keeps my attention up, through all the conflict and all the secrets. There are many corners to turn with much more pleasure after each one. What I did in fact dislike about this novel is all of the cursing, and drug use. I would recommend this book if you are into books with adventures, but I would not recommend this if you are below 15 years of age because of all the mature content.

-Leo K., 7th grade

Book Review: Fifteen Love, by Robert Corbet

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15love_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

My review on this book is not a good one. I did not enjoy this book literally at all; it was very anti-climactic despite all of the problems that occurred in the story. The writing really did not make me excited. The author Robert Corbet failed to interest me in any way. This story fell flat for me from the anti-climactic problems like this one, “Will Holland is a Mystery” (10). Well, this mystery was easily solved considering that Will Holland is one of the main characters. The reason I didn’t enjoy this book may be that I don’t enjoy love stories very much and I wanted to try something new. My opinion of this book is very bad.

Will Holland; this is one of the three main characters in this story. Will Holland is helplessly in love with a girl named Mia Foley one of the other main characters. The problem is that Mia isn’t in love with Will at all. In fact in the beginning she is repulsed with him. Will always second guesses himself and is so self-conscious that he doesn’t talk to her. This plot is just like any other love story- it is all too predictable. Will was my favorite character because he played tennis, which was the passion I chose. I thought it was interesting how he connected real life problems to tennis. He analyzed everything he did in such depth and I could really relate to him because I also over analyze things. This story is integrated with his tennis and his love life. I really enjoyed the tennis aspect of the story but the main lovey-dovey part of the story did not interest me at all. Will has a brother who is disabled and he has to deal with him every single day. In the story the way he handles all of his brother’s problems is very unrealistic and actually quite sad. He treats his brother like garbage- it makes made me very uncomfortable and I didn’t really like that aspect of this story. Overall Will Holland is the reason why I continued to read this book. His life just seemed so relatable to mine.

Mia Folly in the end falls in love with Will Holland and just like almost every single love story ever this made the whole thing very boring. Mia Folly is just like every single stereotypical girl in a love story: popular, pretty, and very vain. The whole entire story she is saying, “I’m ugly I’m fat oh my gosh.” I really did not enjoy this character. All she did was complain. She and her friend got in a fight and she acted like the whole entire world was going to end. She was a very frustrating character and I didn’t like her presence in the story. She also showed some selfless acts throughout the story she would talk to Will and she would actually do some very kind things in the story. One thing that I liked about the authors writing was how he demonstrated how she started to like will more and more as the story came to an end. Mia was a very self-centered character but the story needed her drama.

Vanessa is the last main character in the story. She was Mia’s best friend until they started fighting. She is a very confident, boastful girl she thinks that she is better than everybody. She is a very annoying character and whenever they even mention her name in the story I cringe. “Oh yeah by the way Raneeta left already” (97). The way she says this is just so obtuse, I cant believe that this is the way that she would give Mia the news that her friend had left her. The way she acts is evil- she feels like a lethal poison being injected into my veins. Whenever she speaks I just get frustrated. I really do not enjoy her presence in the story. She ruins everything in the story– she makes Molly depressed, she starts to date Will just to spite Molly, she is a huge pessimist and I really do not like her presence in this story. Just right when you think Will and Mia are going to go out, she always messes everything up she was by far my least favorite character.

Fifteen Love was filled with cheap thrills and a bad plot. Every page I read became more painful. From the characters to the plotline, it was not the best writing. You may think that I am being too negative but honestly this is what I think about this book. I would not recommend this book to any reader of my age group. I thought it was poorly written and filled with uninteresting events that always fell flat. In other words, I did not love the book Fifteen Love.

-Caden S., 7th grade